With only two more scheduled days of organized team activities, the Texans are trying to decide how they will proceed with offensive lineman Charles Spencer.

Spencer has attended the mandatory and voluntary practices this offseason, but he has not been cleared by team trainers to participate in all of the drills because of his knee.

Coach Gary Kubiak will talk with team personnel this weekend and decide if Spencer can practice Monday during the final OTA sessions.

"Well, obviously, we're down to a couple of days," Kubiak said. "We've had long discussions with him (Thursday). The bottom line is that we're not quite sure he's ready to get out here and be more active, so they'll evaluate that through the weekend and make a decision.

"It's a big issue, you know, and the issue is strictly a numbers issue with the football team because taking 80 guys to camp and having 80 guys to go through an NFL camp is just a very small number," Kubiak said. "And it's new water for all of us as coaches and general managers, so that's why it makes this decision even tougher as we move forward."

"Well, I think it's still a delicate situation," Kubiak said. "We're trying right now, in all honesty, to figure out the day to really push him hard and see how he responds to that push. We have done a little bit more each day, but we haven't put him in a  I don't want to use the word combative  but a competitive situation where he could be around some piles, so we hope to pick that day here rather quickly and then we'll see how he comes out of it."

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Even with medical clearance on the knee, Spencer has an uphill battle to make this team. His best chance would be a position change to Guard. But if Spencer can't go during OTAs, the Texans can't assume he'll be ready to go by training camp and cut a player who can contribute. Spencer's short career with the Texans could be coming to an end.

Even with medical clearance on the knee, Spencer has an uphill battle to make this team. His best chance would be a position change to Guard. But if Spencer can't go during OTAs, the Texans can't assume he'll be ready to go by training camp and cut a player who can contribute. Spencer's short career with the Texans could be coming to an end.

Even with medical clearance on the knee, Spencer has an uphill battle to make this team. His best chance would be a position change to Guard. But if Spencer can't go during OTAs, the Texans can't assume he'll be ready to go by training camp and cut a player who can contribute. Spencer's short career with the Texans could be coming to an end.

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Looks like he's done here. If he doesn't make the 80, we'll never see him again. If he can make this cut, then I think he may go to the practice squad. I don't see PUP happening because he can't participate in training camp if he's PUP'd... And, he can't miss another training camp and then have any value to the club in midseason.

Looks like he's done here. If he doesn't make the 80, we'll never see him again. If he can make this cut, then I think he may go to the practice squad. I don't see PUP happening because he can't participate in training camp if he's PUP'd... And, he can't miss another training camp and then have any value to the club in midseason.

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Hmmmm....
If he makes it thru waivers to our practice squad, then he could rejoin the team should the injury bug hit us again like it did last year. That'll give him more time to recover.

Hmmmm....
If he makes it thru waivers to our practice squad, then he could rejoin the team should the injury bug hit us again like it did last year. That'll give him more time to recover.

Not a bad plan but will it work?

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I think that even if he makes the PS, it's not a surefire thing that he gets to play once he's fully recovered. If we stick with zone blocking, who's to say he's going to be quick footed enough to play in that scheme?

I think a team that uses a power blocking scheme would probably love a player like a fully recovered Charles Spencer. He engulfs people, and then he buries them. I think he'd be perfect in a scheme where he's asked to take down one defender, 2 at most.

The practice squad isn't set until just prior to the start of the season. In the mean time, Spencer will be not practicing with the team. With zero reps over the past 2 years, I have to question how much value Spencer would have on the practice squad and if he would even be ready to contribute during the season. I think that spot would be better served by a healthy player who has had the reps and would be ready to step in as a reserve. Like a Frye, Eslinger, or Fenton.

The practice squad isn't set until just prior to the start of the season. In the mean time, Spencer will be not practicing with the team. With zero reps over the past 2 years, I have to question how much value Spencer would have on the practice squad and if he would even be ready to contribute during the season. I think that spot would be better served by a healthy player who has had the reps and would be ready to step in as a reserve. Like a Frye, Eslinger, or Fenton.

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As high as Spencer's ceiling is, I would think he'd be worth a spot on the practice squad if the team believes he's on track to recover. DEFINITELY! That being said, it sure looks like the team no longer believes in the likelihood of Spencer being healthy again. It's very disappointing... But, it's amazing what the front office has accomplished in less than two years, because the loss of Spencer no longer effects my perception of this team's ability to compete. The talent pool here is worlds better than it was when Ron Dayne stepped on my heart and Spencer's leg.

The practice squad isn't set until just prior to the start of the season. In the mean time, Spencer will be not practicing with the team. With zero reps over the past 2 years, I have to question how much value Spencer would have on the practice squad and if he would even be ready to contribute during the season. I think that spot would be better served by a healthy player who has had the reps and would be ready to step in as a reserve. Like a Frye, Eslinger, or Fenton.

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He's not forbidden to take reps with the team unless he's officially put on IR or the PUP list is he?

I think that's the $64 question for Smith/Gibbs: Which of these guys has more upside?

He's not forbidden to take reps with the team unless he's officially put on IR or the PUP list is he?

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If Spencer is on the roster, and not on IR or PUP, he's eligible to practice. What I was referring to was the scenario where Spencer is released prior to training camp and whether it would be a good idea to put him on the practice squad (which isn't formed until after the 53 man cutdown) without going through a training camp or preseason.

If Spencer is on the roster, and not on IR or PUP, he's eligible to practice. What I was referring to was the scenario where Spencer is released prior to training camp and whether it would be a good idea to put him on the practice squad (which isn't formed until after the 53 man cutdown) without going through a training camp or preseason.

If Spencer is on the roster, and not on IR or PUP, he's eligible to practice. What I was referring to was the scenario where Spencer is released prior to training camp and whether it would be a good idea to put him on the practice squad (which isn't formed until after the 53 man cutdown) without going through a training camp or preseason.

barrett, the practice squads are allowed a maximum of 8 players.

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And, any team can sign any player from any team's practice squad. Correct? So that means Spencer is fair game to any NFL team even if he's on our practice squad. IIRC, it works like that.

I don't even have the words to express how I feel on this whole situation.